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About this project

DON'T MISS YOUR CHANCE

Only our backers will get an exclusive first-look at the finished film in 2013. If you pledge at least $20, you will get a copy of the finished film, and pledges starting at $100 also include an invite-only theatrical screening.

Everyone else will have to wait until 2014, and maybe even longer, to see "The Spirit Machine."

THE 1ST SCENE TEASER

We shot the first scene to give you a taste of what this film has to offer. With your support, we can tell the entire story of "The Spirit Machine."

FILMS SHOULD BE FUN

Films should make you feel something.

Visual Effects are not a replacement for story.

"Never bore people. And if you have something important to say, wrap it in chocolate." - Billy Wilder

THE PITCH

The Spirit Machine is a 30-40 minute short film about Randy, a crazed, dorky dude searching for a rumored-to-be-lost "Spirit Machine". Along with his very-cool, teenage, daughter Jane, he enters the world of Edison-steampunk, full of devices and traps designed to keep them away.

Excerpt from "The Scientific American" October 30, 1920

THE STORY OF THE SPIRIT MACHINE

In October 1920, Thomas Edison shared with The Scientific American that he was working on a machine that could communicate with the dead. The machine was never found, and some people thought it was a hoax.

We begin the film with at an early 20th Century seance where the machine is being tested. But things don't go as planned and the device proves to have powers beyond anyone's imagination.

Cut to present day.

We introduce Randy, a crazed, dorky dude whose wife died six years ago and his teenage daughter, Jane, who never got over it. Her mom was the woman she looked up to. Dad, on the other hand, is a real dweeb. Their father/daughter relationship has been strained almost to the breaking point, but Randy keeps trying. Despite his best efforts, Jane still sees him as a real dud with bad fashion sense, a stupid job, and he doesn't even pretend to get her. She misses mom.

It's a Hollywood popcorn movie with heart.

Our antique hunting duo think they've found the machine hidden underneath an old property, but getting to it won't be easy. Like the temple in “Raiders of the Lost Ark” or the tunnels in “Goonies,” traps have been built to protect to prevent our heroes from reaching the machine. And along the way, Randy and Jane's relationship will be redefined. The film builds up to a climatic finish as Randy and Jane learn the true power of the Spirit Machine.

$95,000...HOLY CRAP

I know! It's an ambitious amount of money to raise, but this is an ambitious film.

Even with everyone working at reduced rates or for free, we still have a lot of hard costs over a 10-day shoot, including crew, props, locations and equipment rentals. After factoring in Kickstarter fees, credit card processing, and rewards, we are left with a budget of $76,228.

We plan to shoot the film over 10-days in August and begin editing in September. By October we will begin the longest portion of the project: visual effects and finishing. We have a goal of being done by early 2013. By September, we will start submitting the film to festivals. Most people won't see the film until 2014. Your pledge assures that you will be the first to see the film, at least 6-months before everyone else.

WHY WE'RE DOING THIS

Because we love making movies. And if we do a good job, we know we'll get the opportunity to do it again. This is not about getting rich. Or becoming famous. We simply want to tell stories you’re excited about. Stories that, regardless of genre, create a singular experience, surprise us, and make us feel something. Big screen films. The movie-theater experience.

The Spirit Machine will be our calling card to a feature film project, maybe even a feature-length version of the Spirit Machine.

WE’D
LOVE TO HAVE YOU BE A PART OF THIS!

Thank you for considering our project. We’d love to
have you become part of the Spirit Team. We think this film has massive
potential and I hope you’re as excited about it as we are.

Thank you for supporting independent filmmaking. It takes the generosity of a lot of people to make these projects a reality. You're contribution, no matter the size, is a big deal to us.

THE TEAM

“The Spirit Machine” is a Hollywood-style film made on an independent level. I’m able to achieve this using my commercial industry contacts to assemble an amazing production and post-production team. Everyone involved is a professional:

FAQ

If we can raise more than $95,000, we have plans to expand the movie. There is a scene that we currently can't afford that we'd love to add back in and a lot of other things we'd like to do if we only had the money. Your dollars will not go wasted. We promise to spend them in a way that will improve your film-experience. It only gets better!

Only our backers will get an exclusive first-look at the finished film in 2013. If you pledged at least $20, you will get a copy of the finished film, and pledges starting at $100 also include an invite-only theatrical screening.

In addition, all of our backers will be notified about film festivals, events, and private screenings of "The Spirit Machine."

Everyone else, well, I'm sorry, but you will have to wait.

We're not sure when we'll be able to release this film publicly, or how. Your best bet will be in 2014 at one of the film festival screenings. Unfortunately, we won't be able to post the film on-line for a long time after it's completion. Our best guess is 2015. It pays to become a backer.

Rewards

You selected

Pledge $1 or more

19 backers

EVERY DOLLAR COUNTS - Thank you! We believe in the massive potential of this film and are so happy to know you’re excited about it, too. We'll let you know about theatrical and festival screenings in your area so you can join us.

Estimated delivery:Jul 2013

You selected

Pledge $10 or more

21 backers

JUST A TASTE - A PDF copy of the screenplay + a digital copy of THE FIRST HALF of the film, plus we'll let you know about theatrical and festival screenings of "The Spirit Machine".

Estimated delivery:Jul 2013

You selected

Pledge $20 or more

157 backers

SEE THE ENTIRE FILM - A digital copy of "The Spirit Machine" at least six months before the film festival premiere + a PDF copy of the screenplay. Plus we'll let you know about theatrical and festival screenings.

Estimated delivery:Jul 2013

You selected

Pledge $50 or more

58 backers

FOR THE COLLECTOR - You get a DVD copy of "The Spirit Machine" + a movie-poster-postcard, a PDF copy of the screenplay, a digital download of the entire filme, plus we'll let you know about theatrical and festival screenings in your area.

INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING NOT INCLUDED

Estimated delivery:Jul 2013

You selected

Pledge $100 or more

92 backers

THE BIG SCREEN EXPERIENCE (SAN FRANCISCO)
A private, theatrical, invite-only, screening of "The Spirit Machine" in San Francisco, because films are meant to be seen on the big screen. CAN'T MAKE IT TO SAN FRANCISCO? Then with 50 pledges from your town (at this level or more) we will bring the movie to YOU. Plus you get a PDF copy of the screenplay, a DVD copy of the film, a movie-poster-postcard, a digital copy of the entire film, and email invites to future theatrical screenings of "The Spirit Machine."

Estimated delivery:Jul 2013

You selected

Pledge $250 or more

25 backers

GOLD LEVEL - "Thank You" credit at the end of the film PLUS a private, theatrical, invite-only, screening of "The Spirit Machine" in San Francisco FOR YOU AND 1 GUEST, a DVD copy of the film, a movie-poster-postcard, a digital copy of the entire film, a PDF copy of the screenplay, and invites to future theatrical screenings of "The Spirit Machine."

Estimated delivery:Jul 2013

You selected

Pledge $500 or more

11 backers

GOLD LEVEL - "Thank You" credit at the end of the film PLUS A private, theatrical, invite-only, screening of "The Spirit Machine" in San Francisco FOR YOU AND 4 GUESTS, a DVD copy of the film, a movie-poster-postcard, a digital copy of the entire film, a PDF copy of the screenplay, and invites to future theatrical screenings of "The Spirit Machine."

Estimated delivery:Jul 2013

You selected

Pledge $1,000 or more

5 backers

THE RED CARPET - "Thank you" credit at the end of the film and RESERVED SEATING at a private screening in San Francisco. A phone call from the writer/director PLUS a DVD copy of the film, a movie-poster-postcard, a digital copy of the entire film, a PDF copy of the screenplay, and invites to future theatrical screenings of "The Spirit Machine."

Estimated delivery:Jul 2013

You selected

Pledge $2,000 or more

2 backers

ASSOCIATE PRODUCER - An "Associate Producer" credit at the end of the film. RESERVED SEATING FOR TWO at a private screening in San Francisco. An invitation to the WORLD PREMIERE. Phone call updates from the writer/director about the progress of the film PLUS a signed copy of the screenplay, a digital and DVD copy of the entire film, a movie-poster-postcard, and invites to future theatrical screenings. Oh, and My undying gratitude.

Estimated delivery:Jul 2013

You selected

Pledge $3,000 or more

3 backers

ASSOCIATE BADASS -
"Associate Producer" credit at the end of the film. RESERVED SEATING at a private screening in San Francisco. An invitation to the WORLD PREMIERE. Phone call updates from the writer/director about the progress of the film PLUS a signed copy of the screenplay, A SIGNED FULL-SIZE movie poster, a digital and DVD copy of the entire film, a movie-poster-postcard, and email invites to future theatrical screenings. And what's even more than my undying gratitude? Well, you get that, too!

Estimated delivery:Jul 2013

You selected

Pledge $5,000 or more

1 backer

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER -
"Executive Producer" credit + RESERVED SEATING FOR FOUR at a private screening in the city of your choice + a SKYPE call with the writer/director + Phone call updates from the writer/director about the progress of the film + invitation to the WORLD PREMIERE + a signed copy of the screenplay + a SIGNED FULL-SIZE movie poster + a digital and DVD copy of the film + a movie-poster-postcard + email invites to future theatrical screenings of "The Spirit Machine."

Estimated delivery:Jul 2013

You selected

Pledge $10,000

2 backers

I WANT IT ALL! - All the above, plus a Souvenir Prop from the "Spirit Machine Shoot" and a signed photograph from the cast and crew.

Estimated delivery:Jul 2013

Funding period

Jul 4, 2012 - Jul 25, 2012
(21 days)

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